3 Creative Ways for Bloggers to Make Money

As bloggers, we have to constantly be reinventing ourselves/our brand like Madonna in order to stay relevant. We have to keep our eyes peeled and our finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the blogosphere. This is especially important each quarter.

Whether you see it or not there are bloggers planning and making moves 24/7 so your inner hustler needs to come out so you can join them. Not to mention as each year passes a new generation of bloggers step on the scene ready to duke it out for the same things we’re all fighting so hard to get – money, recognition, support, community, etc. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make a living from blogging, but there is something wrong if you think you’ll be able to make the same kind of living forever which is why it’s important to explore all your money-making options.

create an exclusive line with a brand

Tons of bloggers do limited time “capsule” collections with clothing and jewelry brands. Damsel in Dior had one with Cotton. We Wore What created a workout line with Bandier. The Skinny Confidential made cell phone cases with Casetify. The reason the products are limited time is because it creates a sense of urgency from the consumer to buy, buy, buy! And when you put together two powerhouse names, you’re destined for great things to happen.

I recommend partnering with a brand before venturing on your own because there’s less of a chance for things to go wrong. Hopefully, you choose a brand who’s been in the business for a while and they know what they’re doing.

The skills and expertise that you lack, the brand should have. And vice versa the social reach that you have with a specific audience, a brand lacks or could improve on.

collaborate with another blogger

This collaboration could be an exclusive meet and greet, a blog series, a book, an online course, a business, you name it! Bloggers are some of the most business savvy, determined, and creative people I’ve met. So, it wouldn’t hurt to partner with one of them on a special offering for your followers.

Collaborating with another blogger is similar to partnering with a brand in that you want this blogger to compliment your overall brand. You want to pick someone who has the skill and talent that you lack so you’re able to come up with a real kick-ass product.

There is power in numbers so when you put two creative people together it’s twice the brainpower, twice the promotional tactic, and twice as big of an outcome. I can’t say it enough, collaborations are king! And unconventional collabs with another blogger are a great way to make some new money in the New Year.

I mean, if all of that wasn’t convincing enough, think about how cool it would be if two of your favorite bloggers joined forces!

Here are some ideas for blogger collabs to get you started:

• Offer a service
• Teach a class
• Host an event
• Co-author an eBook

create shoppable lookbooks

“Looks” are the new way to sell using your affiliate links. So why not kick it up a notch by creating an entire shoppable lookbook? When your followers see how a jacket is styled on someone that relate to (you) in a relatable setting (running errands, at the coffee shop, etc.), they imagine how it would look on them, thus making them more likely to buy.

Looks create an experience for your readers. They’re much more effective than posting a shopping guide or collage. That’s why bloggers are such influential people today because of the conversion rate they have when someone sees them wearing something. The way it’s styled makes the consumer want to get it and style it the same way. So, if you want more money this year, create more looks.

(HERE is an example of what a “look” looks like.)

There are so, so, SO many ways for bloggers to make money in 2017. So don’t think for one second the only way to make money is through brand collaborations, in fact, that’s the last thing you want to depend on for income from your blog because they’re not that dependable!

Create something that will guarantee you money each month and work really hard at it, (seriously you may have to stay up ’til 2am) and then move on to your next monetizing project and so on and so forth until you have a well-oiled money making machine in place.

This is your time. I know it, I feel it, so let’s do it!

Are you working on any fun projects right now? Tell me about them in the comments!

xx

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